sum of

USAGE SUMMARY

"sum of" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the total amount of something, or the amount of something that is made up of multiple parts. For example: "The sum of all the items I purchased came to $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sum of their advice?

The New York Times

The Sum of Us.

The Guardian - Books

The sum of who we are.

The New York Times

What remained was the sum of €770.

The Economist

This is the sum of two parts.

The Economist

"You are the sum of it all".

The New York Times - Books

Sum of 15 images.

Harvard University

Sum of 21 images.

Harvard University

Sum of 17 images.

Harvard University

That is the sum of the allegations.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Valdar & Thornton Sum-of-Pairs.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sum of", ensure that the elements being added together are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees" is more precise than "The sum is 180 degrees."

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb when "sum of" is followed by a plural noun. For example, it should be "The sum of the parts is..." not "The sum of the parts are...". Although "parts" is plural, the subject is "sum", which is singular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sum of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to specify what is being added together or considered as a total. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, from mathematical calculations to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sum of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express totality and aggregation across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its function is primarily to quantify or combine elements, and its register is generally neutral to formal. While frequently found in news, scientific, and academic writings, it's essential to maintain subject-verb agreement to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives such as "total of" or "aggregate of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total of

Uses "total" instead of "sum", emphasizing the final amount reached.

aggregate of

Implies a collection of items or elements that have been combined.

culmination of

Focuses on the end result or high point achieved after a period of accumulation.

grand total of

Emphasizes the impressive size or importance of the final amount.

entirety of

Highlights the completeness or wholeness of something.

whole of

Similar to "entirety of", emphasizing the complete quantity or scope.

combined value of

Specifically indicates the numerical worth when added together.

overall amount of

Refers to the total quantity or measure of something.

final tally of

Suggests a careful calculation or counting process to reach the final sum.

net result of

Indicates the outcome after deductions or other adjustments have been made.

FAQs

How do I use "sum of" in a sentence?

Use "sum of" to indicate the total amount resulting from adding two or more values or quantities. For example, "The sum of 2 and 2 is 4."

What's a good alternative to "sum of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "total of", "aggregate of", or "combined value of".

Is it correct to say "the sum of the parts are" or "the sum of the parts is"?

The correct phrase is "the sum of the parts is", because "sum" is the subject, and it is singular. Avoid using a plural verb form in this construction.

How does "sum of" differ from "amount of"?

"Sum of" typically refers to the result of addition, whereas "amount of" refers to a quantity or measure of something that may or may not involve addition. For example, "the amount of water" versus "the sum of these payments".